2026 First Fly of the Year

2025 is rapidly coming to an end – how time flies! This is a head-up for our upcoming First Flight event on January 1st, 2026. Please read the instructions below.  

There is no landing fee or registration. Check-in with Jon Harper when you arrive. 2026 MAAC and Stetson memberships (valid RPAS) are required to fly on Jan 1st.

  • The gate padlock combination will be the 2025 combination.
  • Have your pre-flights & range checks done before 9 am. Normal restriction of 5 planes in the air is lifted for first flights. If your plane gets stuck, stay off the runway until you get the all-clear. Two club members will supervise the first flights. No hand launch planes for first flight (for fairness). Regular flying after the first flights are completed.
  • Tim Hortons Coffee and Tim Hortons Timbits will be available.
  • There will be a Gift Certificate for both winners.
  • The event will be ON unless driving is unsafe. Confirmation updates will be provided.

Two categories:
1) Internal Combustion Engine powered (9 am launch):

  • First internal combustion airplane airborne wins IC Category.
  • No warm-ups or test-starts allowed.
  • After the start call, start your engine, WALK to the runway, put your plane down, take a position behind others, and take off.

2) Electric powered (following the IC engine-powered flight):

2025 Christmas Party Event Report

Event Date

On a stormy Wednesday evening, December 10, approximately 35 members of the Stetson flying family, along with friends, gathered for an evening of great food, camaraderie, and laughter at the Mandarin Restaurant in Orléans for the annual Stetsons Christmas and Holiday Party.


During dinner, John Weekes, President, provided a highlight overview of the past year, celebrating the club’s many activities and successes.


John then paid special tribute to Pierre Coulombe, recognizing his tireless dedication to the club in his many roles over the years, including President, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, and formerly Field Coordinator. In appreciation of his outstanding service, John presented Pierre with an honorary Stetsons jacket. (Note: 50th anniversary jackets, T-shirts, and ball caps will soon be available for purchase.)


The evening wrapped up with full stomachs, good cheer, and a shared agreement that while the weather may ground our flying, it never grounds the Stetsons’ spirit.

Click the link below to see more photos.

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2025 Fall Field Cleanup

Event Date

Stetson Flyers Fall Cleanup 
The Fall annual cleanup was held on Friday morning October 24. This involved making repairs and preparing the Stetson Flyers facility for the winter including installing the winter shelter. 

The eleven members who volunteered their time were Pierre Coulombe, Daniel Marcotte, Greg Oliver, Fred Lottes, Laurel Goodrich, Charlie Colwell, Michael Wendt, Jon Harper, Hal MacDonald, Michel Raymond, Michael Lalonde.
1.    Winter shelter installed. 
2.    Filled in holes along laneway.
3.    Cut trees behind toilet
4.    Weed wacked where we stored the shelters.
5.    Cleaned both BBQs.
6.    Remove Great Hobbies signs from flight line fence.
7.    Tree clearing in north bush.
8.    Replaced flight line fence cable. 
9.    Tightened frame bolts of large shelter.

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Date Changes for Autumn Club Meetings

The dates for the autumn club meetings has changed. Here is the updated calendar:

  • Tue Sep 23 @ 7pm-9pm - Club Meeting
  • Tue Oct 28 @ 7pm-9pm - Club Meeting (Annual General Meeting)
  • Tue Nov 25 @ 7pm-9pm - Club Meeting (Budget & Events Meeting)

All meetings are held at:
Pat Clark Community Centre 4355 Halmont Dr, Gloucester

https://bit.ly/pat-clark-centre
 

Category
FLYING FIELD ADDRESS

5800 Frontier Road, 
Vars, ON, Canada
 

Google Maps Link

 

MAILING ADDRESS:

Stetson Flyers Model Airplane Club 
PO Box 91542 RPO Mer Bleu 
Orleans, ON, K1W 0A6 
613-518-4463
contact@stetsonflyers.com